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If you tried to define what a Disney Legend is, you’d have a hard time doing it without mentioning Bob Weis. His illustrious 42-year career at WED Enterprises (the Imagineering arm of the Walt Disney Company) garnered him prestige and even something of a celebrity status.
Credit: D23
Disney Legend status is a prestigious award granted to individuals who “have made an extraordinary and integral contribution to The Walt Disney Company” (think of it like a Disney Hall of Fame). Bafflingly, Bob Weis has not received this award (yet… We are still holding out hope). Of the individuals not yet inducted, only Joe Rhode is as high as Weis on our list of deserving people.
However, today Weis was honored in a different but meaningful way. When you think of Magic Kingdom, you think of Walt. When you think of EPCOT, you think of Marty Sklar. When you think of Animal Kingdom, you think of Joe Rohde. But when you think of Hollywood Studios? You think of Bob Weis.
Weis once explained that he and his team were initially tasked with building a Hollywood-themed pavilion at EPCOT but the idea grew and took on a life of its own. “As we explored ideas, it soon became apparent that this was bigger than just a pavilion — it could be an entire park,” he said. That is how Disney’s Hollywood Studios (then called Disney/MGM Studios) came to be.
Credit: Disney
As of today, a window hangs at Hollywood Studios bearing the name of the Imagineer it owes its existence to. You’ll find his window near the front entrance.
Windows have long since been a way Disney has honored those who have made a significant impact on the Parks. Just two days ago, to celebrate World Wish Day a new sort of window was displayed. Above the baby care center at Magic Kingdom now hang 3 windows honoring the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the children who began it all.
